Areas in red are meant for each company to complete. First Memo to recruit members: Greetings members, (Company’s name) is proud to participate in the Columbus Dragon Boat Race at Genoa Park in downtown Columbus. This event will be held on Monday, May 27 from 9AM-4PM. (Company’s name) will have a team of employees that will compete in the dragon boat race. A dragon boat is a twenty foot canoe with a decorative dragonhead on the front and a tail on the back. A drummer sits facing the paddlers and directs them with the beat of the drum. A steersman stands in the rear and guides the boat with a long, wooden oar. The paddlers sit two by two on ten benches. These individuals paddle the stroke in unison to fly the dragon across the water. It is this synchronicity that is the key to racing. Dragon boat racing is as amazing to be a part of as it is to watch. Dragon boat racing is a sport for all. This fact is not true in many other sports. It is the teamwork, the synchronicity that moves the boat. Muscle is good, but not nearly as good as paddling together with the correct technique. It is not uncommon to watch seemingly "weaker" teams win races. It is about paddling as one and having "heart". Dragon boating is a sprint sport. Races are typically 500m. We will be racing 300m races at the Dragon Boat Race Eventl. You will explode of of the start line and power through the finish. The race will last about two minutes. "That's all?” you may say, but trust me, sometimes that is a very long two minutes. Besides that, you'll have a few chances to race. The website link is: The Columbus Dragon Boat Race or go to www.asian-festival.org/dragonboat. When the dragon boat picture comes by, click on “more info”. There are a number of you tube videos that can be viewed to see how exciting dragon boat racing can be! We are in need of about (24) volunteers to help represent (Company’s name) and compete in this race. “Preparing for dragon boat racing is all about commitment and practice time. So, you all need to bring the commitment. You are committing to having a great time, doing your best, patience with others and yourself, and working as a team”. There will be practice sessions available Saturday, May 25 or Sunday, May 26. Contact information ********************************** Second Memo for Volunteer Training. To the (company) Team, Thank you all for your participation and support of the 2013 Dragon Boat! We will be holding a meeting on (date) to go over the details of this event and to answer any questions you may have.( Date, time and location of meeting.) Below is some additional information regarding the Festival details: Date: Monday: May 27, 2013, 9AM to 4 PM Location: Genoa Park, Columbus, Ohio. Directions, map, and race location: Insert maps here Time: Practice time (TBD) Race time (TBD) Parking: Please allow some time to find parking and report to the booths on time for your scheduled time. Feel free to car pool with others who are working the same schedule as you. Parking ticket will be provided and parking will be at the unpaved parking at corner of Town street and Belle Street. Restrooms: Located on Washington, opposite the COSI entrance. What to bring and wear that day: plenty of water, light food for in between practice and racing. Be prompt. All paddlers should be prepared for practice at start time. You will get wet (splashed). Wear clothes that you would wear to the gym and shoes that can get wet. You can also paddle barefoot. Bring a bottle of water into the boat with you to drink on breaks. You may also want to bring a pad to sit on. Garden kneeling foam pads are the right size, or a folded towel. Another tip: You may not want to eat a whole cheesecake or drink a lot of beer the night before. Key message points: 1. All team members must check in prior to racing at the registration tent. 2. Captains will check of all team members to make sure that the whole team is accounted for. 3. Captains should bring the team roster and all signed waivers. 4. Cell phone numbers that would be carried that day must be on the roster/ contact form in case the member needs to be contacted the day of the event. Thanks again for volunteering! .